Ornamental display device



Jan. 6, 1959 v. B. REAM 2,867,713

ORNAMENTAL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 22. 1957 INVENTOR. VINCENT B. REAM,

BY @JL ATTORNEY.

United tates Patent O ORNAMENTAL DISPLAY DEVICE Vincent B. Ream, WestHollywood, Fla. Application October 22, 1957, Serial No. 691,635

2 Claims. (Cl. 240-104 This invention relates to ornamental displaydevices wherein a multiplicity of variegated colored illuminated spotlights are projected in a radial manner to impinge upon wall areas andother adjacent objects.

The device comprises a hollow transparent shell wherein is disposed asource of illumination and color segments and with a concentricperforated cylinder being rotatable around the source of illuminationand the color segments and whereby variegated colors are projectedoutwardly through the transparent shell with sufficient intensity as whoprojected upon the surrounding walls or objects in a manner to create anornamental decorative effect.

The invention further contemplates an enclosing shell of cylindricalform having a removable end portion that is provided with an electricalsocket for the reception of the source of illumination and with theshell being also provided with a pronged plug for connection with aconventional receptacle for conducting electricity to the socket.

The invention further contemplates a shell of cylindrical form that isopen throughout and with the shell at one end being closed by adetachable transparent end portion and at its opposite end having aconventional motor for actuating the perforated drum and with meanscarried by both the shell and the removable end portion whereby toautomatically connect the source of electricity with the sourceofillumination when the end portion is engaged with the shell.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be moreclearly apparent during the course of the following description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has beenillustrated the preferred forms of the device and wherein likecharacters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughou theseveral figures.

In the drawings:'

Figure l is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance withthe invention,

" Figure 2 is an end view thereof,

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially on line33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFigure 3,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of a color segment sleeve,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary inner plan view illustrating the electricalconnection for a removable cap and an associated lamp socket and theelectrical connection from a pronged plug to a prime mover,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3, but illustrating a modified formof the invention and,

Figure 8 is a view illustrating a further use of the device.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly 2,867,716Patented Jan, 6, 1959 2 the shell by screws or like fastening devices7'. The'shell at its opposite end is closed by'a semi-spherical cover 8,likewise preferably formed of transparent plastic. The

cover 8 is connected with the shell 5 by an overlyingflange 9, havingfrictional engagementwith the shell and locked against accidentaldisplacement in any desirable manner. Axially of the cover 8, there isprovided apreferably integral stepped cylindrical collar 10, preferablyhaving molded therein a metallic socket element 11, that constitute thesocket and a source of illumination .12, such as a conventionalincandescent lamp. The socket 11 is connected by conductors 13 toa pairof prongs 14. The prongs 14 are adapted to have engagement within a pairof spaced apart sockets 15 that are molded or otherwise formed upon theshell 5 at its forward openend. The sockets 15 have extended portions 16that are connected by conductors 17 with terminals 18 carried by. aconnector 19, having prongs 20. The connector 19 and its associatedelements are fixed to the shell 5 by-ascrew 21, although it should beunderstood that the connector 9 Y may likewise be molded integral withthe shell. Also connected with the terminals 18 are a pair of conductors22, that have electrical connectionwith the motor 6 and whereby, whenthe prongs 14 are seated with respect to the sockets 15 and theconnector 19 as its prongs 20 engage within a conventional receptacle,the lamp- 12 caused to glow and the motor 6 actuated. The motor 6 is alow speed motor of well known construction.

Detachably and frictionally supported upon a reduced portion 23 of thecollar 10 is a sleeve 24, open at its opposite ends. The sleeve 24 forits major length is provided with a plurality of longitudinallyextendingcolor segments 25 and with the segments being entirely aroundthe sleeve. The sleeve 24 is concentric to and insp'aced relation to thelamp 12 and with the lamp 12-being of'a length to extend for the majorlength of the sleeve. I

Fixed upon the shaft 6' of the motor 6, is a drum-26, having one endclosed and provided witha connecting collar 27 that is fixed to theshaft 6 by a set screw 28. The drum, is open atits opposite end andwiththe drum being rotatable under the influence'of the motor 6 inconcentric and spaced apart relation to the sleeve 24. The drum 26 iscircumferentially perforated at 29 whereby light projected throughsegments 25 win pass through the apertures 29 and through the shell, 5and its spherical end 8 to be projected upon a' wall for othei area,creating an ornamental visual display. The apertures 29 may be of anyparticular configuration and may represent various objects, such asstars, moons, animals'or'birdsand it will be apparent, that when theprojected beams of light through the apertures strike a wallarea, theywill berel'atively enlarged. Further, with thevs e g'ments 25 being ofvarious colors, there will be a continuous changing in the projectedspots or other configurations in a gradual sequence from one color tothe other as the apertures pass from one color segment to the other.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the sleeve 24 hasits segments 25' arranged in a spiral form and whereby to furthergradually shift from one color to another through the apertures of thedrum 26. The segments 25 and 25 may either be formed upon the sleeves aspainted strips or, the segments may be embodied as an integral orassembled relation to the sleeve.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 7, the sleeve 24 hasbeen omitted and the color segments are painted or otherwise disposedupon the outer surface of the lamp 12' and whereby the illumination fromthe lamp 12' will pass through the several spirally disposed colorstrips 25a. In all other respects, the device is similar to thatpreviously described with respect to the first form of the invention.

In Figure 8 there has been illustrated a'further use In the use of thedevice, with the parts assembled as illustrated, the prongs 20 areengaged within any 'con- 'veiiientreceptacle, causing the lamp 12 toglow and the motor 6 to rotate. Light Will be projected through thesegments 25, the apertures 29 and the body of the shell to 'be projectedupon surrounding objects or wall areas, imparting the very ornamentaland soothing effect to persons in the vicinity. The device isparticularly help- ;ful to persons who suffer from insomnia and thesoothiug effect is beneficial in creating drowsiness. When a lamp is tobe replaced, the cover 8 is shifted outwardly 'withthe'sleeve 24, thesleeve 24 is then removed from :the reduced portion 23 of the collar 10and the lamp replaced. After the lamp has been replaced the sleeve isagain engaged and the cover 8 together with the jprongs 14 shiftedto aclosed position to establish the electrical connection to the socket ofthe lamp. The re- -pla'cement;of the lamp 12 is accomplished in asimilar manner, with the exception of the necessity of removingthe'sleeve 24.

It will be apparent from the foreg'oingthat a very lnovel anddecorativedevice has been provided and where- -by to create a very desirablevariable and multiplicity of light projections upon surrounding objects.The device is cheap to manufacture, is strong, durable and applicable invarious positions.

*drum. The function will be substantially identical, and

with the only difference being that the color sleeve 24 jrotates whilethe drum 26 is stationary, butwith the parts being in their samerelative position with respect to the source of illumination 12.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe preciseconstruction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fallwithin the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scopeof the subjo'ined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

v I It may be'found necessary or desirable that the connector 19 bedisposed upon 1. An illuminated display device of the characterdescribed that comprises a cylindrical transparent housing that is openat its opposite ends, a cylindrical electric motor that has interfittingengagement within one open end of the housing and with the motor havinga drive shaft that is axial with respect to the housing, a semisphericaltransparent closure cap for the opposite end of the housing, the closurecap being detachably connected with the housing, the closure cap havingan enlarged centrally arranged portion that is provided with an electricsocket, an incandescent lamp engageable within the socket to be axiallydisposed with respect to the housing, the enlarged portion of the capbeing externally cylindrical, a fixed drum supported upon thecylindrical portion and with the drum being provided with acircumferentially arranged group of color strips, the drum beingconcentric to and in spaced apart relation to the lamp, asecond drumthat is arranged outwardly of and in spaced apart concentric relation tothe first named drum and with the second named drum being rotatablyconnected to the shaft of the motor, a plug-in connector carried by thehousing for connection with a source of electrical energy, separableconnector elements carried by the housing and the cap and with theelements of the housing being connected to the plug, and with theelements of the cap being connected with the socket, the said motorbeing also connected with the plug and whereby the motor and the lampare simultaneously energized, the said second named drum beingcircumferentially closely perforated and whereby various colors passingthrough the segments will be projectedthrough the apertures and throughthe transparent housing and the cap to impinge upon surrounding objects.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the connector 'elements ofthe housing comprise a pair of sockets that are molded into a lug formedupon the housing at its lower side, the said connector elements of thecap comprising a pair of prongs that are molded into 2. lug formed uponthe cap to be axially engaged within thesockets when the capis [engagedwith the housing as a closure, the said plug having a pair of terminalsthat are disposed inwardly of the housing and with a pair of prongs thatproject outwardly of the plug, 'a pair of conductor wires connected withthe terminals and with the sockets, a pair of conductor Wires connectedwith the first named prongs, and with a lamp socket and a pair of wiresconnected with the terminals and with theel'ectric motor.

References Cited in the file-of this patent UNITED STATES/PATENTS1,831,090 Bishop Nov. 10, 193 1 2,346,779 Muehling Apr. 18, 19442,567,403 Rockola Sept. 11, 1951 2,615,266 Wallin et a1. Oct. 28, 1952

